School Vacation Already Got You Down? Consider These Ideas

If the highlight of your school vacation week was going to be a trip to see the Lego Batman movie then maybe it's time to consider something different. Is it too late to sign up for some of these? Maybe, so call before you go, but it's worth a try.

Beanstalk Adventure Ropes - Located inside Jordan's furniture in Reading, the Beanstalk Adventure Ropes is like competing on the Olympic balance beam but from 24-feet up. For those less adventurous, you can chose 12 feet off the floor. Either way you're safely harnessed and you won't get hurt. There are 30 activities that include zig-zag beams, spaghetti hand lines, angled rope ladders, crisscross walks and more. It opens daily at 10 a.m. and for $14, or about the cost of the Lego Batman movie, you can a lot more fun.

Bingo at Market Street - Here's an activity at Lynnfield's MarketStreet where you might actually win something too. Pick up your bingo card at the Welcome Center across from the Apple Store. Then get bingo by collecting stamps from the participating stores (down, across, or diagonal). Once you have bingo, return your card to the ballot box at the Welcome Center by February 25. There are four different prize packages. You must be 18 to play, but you'd rather leave the kids home anyway.

Parkour - If you're like me, you're vaguely aware of Parkour but that's it. Apparently it started outside Paris in the 1980s so it can't be all bad. It's all about movement and combines gymnastics, martial arts, climbing, and track & field. The goal is to develop strength, speed, endurance, precision, spatial awareness, dynamism, and creativity. I'd be happy with two of those, but if you're intrigued the Reading Recreation Department is holding a four-day Parkour Generations Clinic this week at Joshua Eaton Elementary School. It costs $149 and could be full this time. But be patient. There's another class in April. Check www.readingrec.com for more information.

Hot Chocolate With a Reindeer - Bet you haven't done this one before. Starting at 9:15 am Saturday, Feb. 25, you can hang out at the Stone Zoo with one of their three reindeer. Have some hot chocolate, take a few pictures, and if the weather's nice stick around and check out the rest of the animals. The cost for the hot chocolate event only is $18 per person for members, $20 per person for non-members. Hot chocolate event plus admission to the zoo is $28 per person. Children under 2 are free. Space is limited – pre-registration is required. If it's filled this time, there's another opportunity March 11. Call 617-989-3742 for more information.

Color & Coffee at the Lynnfield Library - Coloring is not just for children! Or so the Lynnfield Library website says. And who's to argue? On Saturday, Feb. 25, come to the library for Color & Coffee between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Join others to experience the cathartic benefits of coloring. The library will provide the coloring books, colored pencils, and some coffee and teas. Color by yourself or with a group of friends. No registration required, and it's free and open to the public. Call 781-334-5411 for more information.

Skate Outdoors at MarketStreet - This will be the last week to land that quad or practice your double axel on the outdoor rink at MarketStreet in Lynnfield. The rink is open daily at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday it opens at 11 a.m. Sunday it closes for the last time at 8 p.m. You can skate for $8 and if you have to rent skates it's an additional $4. And you'll want to bring a couple extra dollars for a trip next store to J.P. Licks.

Under the spreading Chestnut Tree - Admittedly, this may not be for everyone. But if you like trees ... on Wednesday at 7 p.m. the Friends of the Flint Memorial Library and the North Reading Historical Society welcome Mark Meehl and David Lent for a presentation on the Past, Present and Future of Chestnut trees in America. Mark and Dave travel throughout Massachusetts discovering new sites where remaining American chestnut trees are still growing and successfully reproducing. In 2015 and 2016 they pollenated several large surviving “mother trees” with hybrid pollen for new lines of blight resistance in Andover and Westboro. Mark and Dave help plant and maintain several seed and breeding orchards. Each fall they harvest wild chestnuts for further breeding research projects, all aimed to restore the American chestnut tree to its former native range. Call 978-664-4942 for more information.

All-State High School Wrestling Championships - The best high school wrestlers in the state come to Reading Friday and Saturday for the MIAA All-State Wrestling championships. If you've never been before you won't be disappointed. It's intense, passionate, and competitive, and that's just the parents in the stands. Competition begins Friday at noon. Semifinals are Saturday at 11 a.m. with the finals scheduled for approximately 4 p.m. The admission for All-States will be $7 (students) and $12 (adults) for each day. Senior citizens may purchase tickets at the student price.